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Switzerland Swiss boys clothes activities festivls
Swiss Boys' Clothes: Activities--Festivals and Fairs
Figure 1.--Here we see Swiss boys wearing pre-World War I caps and uniforms in an unidetified village. They look like Napoleonic War vintage styles--this was the last war in which Switzerland was involved. The photograph was taken just after World War I in 1920. This was usualy done during a village feast for the local parade. The Swiss of course were neutral in the War in which the various ethnic groups were some of the most important particupants--France and Grmany. This pictures shows a typical Swiss village at the time.
We do not know much about festivals in Switzerland. They were, however, an important aspect of national life as was the case in other European countries. Amd they seem notably diverse, in part because of the country's varied population, including not only Germans, Fench, bnut Italians and a native indigenous population. Swiss customs originate from the varied cultures and the different languagesd makes the Swisd festivals inique and especially interesting. The geography of Switzerland has helped create many unique traditions.. The valleys in which most of the prople lived and where villages and other populat ion centers developed were cut off from other regions byb the mountenous terraine. And during the winter they werev completely isolated. This helped unique traditions develop and become locally accepted. Many are kept alive and treasured even know the valleys are no longer isolated. This gives modern Switzerland its rich visual and acoustic heritage. Festivals were particularly important before World War II when there were relatively limited recreational opportunities and religion was still relatively important. Many of these traditions, including clothing, music, and dance only appear in modern Switzeeland when celebrated in the festivals. We believe that every village had their own destinctive festivals as well as some that were celebrated in common on a national basis. An important part of most village festivals was a parade or procession through the middle of the village. And the festivals are often conducted with the stunning scenery of the magnificent Swiss Alpine landscape making them especially popular tourist attractions. Here we see a good example in a typical Swiss village (figure 1). The boys are wearing pre-World War I caps uniforms (figure 1). This was usualy done during a village feast for the local parade. The Swiss of course were neutral in the War in which the various ethnic groups were some of the most important particupants--France and Grmany. This pictures shows a typical Swiss village just after the World War I in 1920. This was usualy done during a village feast for the local parade. We note a festival being celebrated in the town of Escharlens. Unforunately we do not know much about the festival. The boys involved are from the town choir. Although perhaps not so popular as they once were, the Swiss and forign tourists still enjoy many picturesque festivals.
Diversity
We do not know much about festivals in Switzerland. They were, however, an important aspect of national life as was the case in other European countries. Amd they seem notably diverse, in part because of the country's varied population, including not only Germans, French, but Italians and a native indigenous population. Swiss customs originate from the varied cultures and the different languages makes the Swiss festivals unique and especially interesting. Switzerland's varied religuius make up also adds to the diversuity. Most of the traditional festivals include religious elements. The festivals are some of the most interesting Swiss celebrations that take place throughout the year and a fun addition to any tourist's visit to the country.
Geography
The geography of Switzerland has helped create many unique traditions. The valleys in which most of the prople lived and where villages and other populat ion centers developed were cut off from other regions by the mountenous terraine. And during the winter they werev completely isolated. This isolation helped unique traditions develop and become locally accepted. Many are kept alive and treasured even know the valleys are no longer isolated. This diversuity gives modern Switzerland its rich visual and acoustic heritage.
Importance
Festivals were particularly important before World War II, and even more so World War I, when there were relatively limited recreational opportunities and religion was still relatively important. There was no radio and television and even magazines had relativey few illustrations in the 19th century. Many of these traditions, including clothing, music, and dance only appear in modern Switzerland when celebrated in the festivals. The festivals are thus a popular way to keep the traditions alive. Although perhaps not so popular as they once were, the Swiss and foreign tourists still enjoy many picturesque festivals. Many of the festivals arem, however sedate affairs attecting few foreign tourists, just celebrated by the locals as they have done in sonme cases for centuris.
Village Based Celebrations
We believe that every village had their own destinctive festivals as well as some that were celebrated in common on a national basis. An important part of most village festivals was a parade or procession through the middle of the village. And the festivals are often conducted with the stunning scenery of the magnificent Swiss Alpine landscape making them especially popular tourist attractions. Here we see a good example in a typical Swiss village (figure 1). The boys are wearing pre-World War I caps uniforms (figure 1). This was often done during a village feast for the local parade. The Swiss of course were neutral in the War in which the various ethnic groups were some of the most important particupants--France and Grmany. This pictures shows a typical Swiss village just after the World War I in 1920. All village festivals include a parade of some kind.
Features
There are not only many festivals in Switzerland, but many different types of festivals. We havr noted colorful folk spectacles, medieval celebrations where the locals dress up in wonderful costumes, sport events (including some wierd ones), and music festivals. These range from enthusiastic village performers to to sophisticated entertainment in the cities.
There are a huge number of festivals in Switzerland. Every village has one and often more than one. Theu are clustered together particularly in the spring and fall. There are few weekends in which some village does not hold a festival or fair of some kind. There are also summer and winter festivals as well. And of course all this is in adition to an aray of concerts also held, especially in the cities. The number of Swiss cultural celebrations is impressive and the variety is truly remarkable. We are not sure that anyone has ever compiled a list of the festivals. It would be a long list if they did. We have only limited information on individual festivals. Hppefully our Swiss readers will tell us about their local festivals. We note a festival being celebrated in the town of Escharlens. Unforunately we do not know much about the festival. The boys involved are from the town choir. A Swiss reader sends us a snapshot taken recently in Canton Thurgau during a village folk festival. Two tourist young women have a photo with three local boys, wearing traditional costumes. The boys are barefoot, that is a correct interpretation of local traditions, but also a current custom for several children. On the other hand we can see that the boys follow also modern trends. All three have earrings.
